New Mexico woman dies after car accident north of Polo

An New Mexico woman in town for a relative's wedding died in a single vehicle crash near Polo Nov. 9.Melanie R. Wagner, 21, Albuquerque, N.M., was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Union Road near the intersection with Canada Road approximately two miles north of Polo.A press release issued Tuesday afternoon by Ogle County Sheriff Michael Harn said Wagner was a front seat passenger in a vehicle driven by her cousin Jason W. Wagner, 23, Polo. She was ejected from the vehicle.According to the press release, the vehicle was southbound in the 600 block of Union Road when the vehicle went out of control, left the roadway, and collided with an electric pole shortly after 10 p.m.Harn said alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.Jason was transported by Dixon City ambulance to KSB Hospital, Dixon, and later transferred to a Rockford hospital and then to a Peoria hospital for treatment of serious injuries.A rear seat passenger, Jay R. Wagner, 18, Albuquerque, N.M., Melanie's brother, was transported by ambulance to KSB Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.The three had been attending a wedding reception for Jason's father, Greg Wagner, Polo, before the crash occurred.The Ogle County Coroner, Polo Fire Department and ambulance, Polo Police Department, and Dixon City ambulance assisted at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation.